Portable water supply

ABSTRACT

Embodiments of the disclosed invention provide for a wheeled apparatus suitable for storing liquids, such as water for consumption, when ordinary drinking water may be scarce or unavailable. Embodiments disclosed herein can be collapsed and stored in a small profile arrangement during periods when the apparatus is not in use. Embodiments may comprise wheels so that the apparatus may be assembled in one location and rolled to a water source, and rolled to shelter when full of water. Embodiments may provide a hose to connect the apparatus to a standard household faucets or spigots. Once the present invention is filled, it can be rolled to storage location while awaiting future needs. After an emergency situation passes, the apparatus may be drained and re-packed for storage.

FIELD OF THE DISCLOSURE

The present invention relates to fluid storage and more specificallyrelates to water storage and portability.

BACKGROUND

As fluid storage tanks are filled, mobility becomes difficult by humanforce alone as weight increases. In times of emergencies, such as afternatural disasters, a small scale, mobile, dedicated, and rapidlyfillable source of potable water is often required. Storage tanks havingsufficient capacity allowing users to prepare an emergency water supplymay be too heavy to easily move from a water source to shelter. FEMAsuggests that a family of four requires one liter of water per person,per day, to comfortably survive for two weeks. The volume of such a tanksufficient to hold this amount of water, roughly 56 liters, can be heavyand difficult to keep sanitary. Filling a tank with such a substantialamount of water can be time consuming. In some cases, water sourcesavailable to citizens that can fill a storage tank are limited to afaucet or spigot. Filling tanks from such sources may be time consuming.Filling tanks from such sources may also limit the size of the storagemeans capable of receiving water from such as source, for example abucket. In emergency situations, however, time may be limited.

What is needed is a readily available apparatus for storing an emergencysupply of potable water extracted from a common household faucet orspigot. What is also needed is for such an apparatus to be fillable in arelatively short period of time.

In situations commonly requiring emergency water provisions, such asbefore a bad weather event, citizens often buy large stores of bottledwater in anticipation. This can be expensive, and may distract fromother needs when preparing for an impending emergency.

What is needed is a storage means mitigating the substantial time, moneyand storage space required to procure and store flats of water that arepurchased in anticipation of disasters and water interruption.

Storage means known in the art, such as bathtub water bladders and largewater tanks, are susceptible to waste, spillage and mess. Known storagemeans for storing emergency water supplies are often located at a greatdistance from where the majority of water is consumed for drinking andcooking, such as the kitchen or dining room. In known storage tools,repeated instances of mobilizing the water from storage areas toconsumption areas often invites spillage and/or contamination.

In emergency situations, high-rise apartment homes that lose power canalso lose electricity-driven water pressure. For residents of high-riseapartment homes, particularly those who live on higher-floors, it may beimpracticable to move the requisite amount of water quickly, safely, andwithout contaminating the water supply.

For residents of suburban and rural communities, when natural disastersstrike local water supplies can be temporarily unavailable orcontaminated. Often alternative water sources are not possible due toroad closures, floods, snow, distances, and/or debris.

In some cases, it may even be useful for municipalities and othergovernment agencies to distribute storage tanks to its citizensfollowing natural disasters. Such large-scale water distribution mayreduce the amount of time lost to provide potable water rations andreduce that amount of water spilled by distributing water in small,makeshift water receptacles. Municipalities and other governmentagencies may distribute the present invention to groups of citizens toprovide temporary and safe supplies of water to their citizens.

What is needed is a means for providing an emergency potable watersupply that is easily movable. What is needed is a collapsible and/orstorable apparatus for transporting, storing, and dispensing water. Whatis needed a storable apparatus that is readily assembled and filled withpotable water before, during, and/or after natural disasters or otheremergency scenarios. What is needed is a water storage apparatusproviding large scale liquid storage that can be easily moved, in acompact, stable format, from the filling source to other areas despitethe large weight of an apparatus that is filled with potable water.

SUMMARY

Embodiments described herein may include a wheeled apparatus suitablefor storing liquids, such as potable water for consumption, duringperiods when ordinary drinking water may be less available orunavailable. Embodiments of the apparatus may be collapsed and stored ina small profile arrangement. Embodiments of the apparatus may beassembled in one location and rolled to a water source using enclosedwheels. Some embodiments may provide for a detachable coupling with ahose to connect embodiments of a water storage apparatus to a watersource, such as a household faucet.

In one embodiment, a water storage apparatus comprises a base comprisinga lower horizontal surface, one or more wheels removably attached to thebase, a plurality of walls extending upwardly from edges of the lowerhorizontal surface, thereby forming a recess in the base defined by thewalls and the lower horizontal surface, wherein at least one of theplurality of walls has a hole configured to be detachably coupled to afluid dispenser; an upper portion comprising an upper horizontal surfacehaving a plurality of walls extending downwardly from edges of the upperhorizontal surface, thereby forming a recess in the upper portiondefined by the walls of the upper portion and the upper horizontalsurface, wherein the upper horizontal surface comprises a hole; aplurality of removable panels extending from the base to the upperportion forming a chamber defined by the plurality of removable panels,the base, and the upper portion, wherein the removable panels areconfigured to fit in a housing defined by the recess of the base and therecess of the upper portion when the base is adjacent to the upperportion; and a flexible bladder comprising an orifice substantiallyaligned with the hole in the upper horizontal surface.

In another embodiment, a water storage apparatus comprises a basecomprising a lower horizontal surface, one or more wheels removablyattached to the base, a plurality of walls extending upwardly from edgesof the lower horizontal surface, thereby forming a recess in the basedefined by the walls and the lower horizontal surface, wherein at leastone of the plurality of walls has a hole configured to be detachablycoupled to a fluid dispenser; an upper portion comprising an upperhorizontal surface having a plurality of walls extending downwardly fromedges of the upper horizontal surface, thereby forming a recess in theupper portion defined by the walls of the upper portion and the upperhorizontal surface, wherein the upper horizontal surface comprises ahole; a plurality of removable panels extending from the base to theupper portion forming a chamber defined by the plurality of removablepanels, the base, and the upper portion, wherein the removable panelsare configured to stack upon one another between the base and the upperportion whereby the base is adjacent to a first end of the stack and theupper portion is adjacent to an opposing second end of the stack; and aflexible bladder comprising an orifice substantially aligned with thehole of the upper horizontal surface.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The present disclosure can be better understood by referring to thefollowing figures. The components in the figures are not necessarily toscale, emphasis instead being placed upon illustrating the principles ofthe disclosure. In the figures, reference numerals designatecorresponding parts throughout the different views.

FIG. 1 shows an exemplary embodiment of a water storage apparatus.

FIG. 2A shows an interior perspective view from a back side of anexemplary embodiment of a base for a water storage apparatus.

FIG. 2B shows an interior perspective view from a front side of anexemplary embodiment of a base for a water storage apparatus

FIG. 3 shows an exterior perspective view of an exemplary embodiment ofan upper portion for a water storage apparatus.

FIG. 4 shows components defining a chamber of an exemplary embodiment ofa water storage apparatus.

FIG. 5 shows an exemplary embodiment of a flexible bladder for a waterstorage apparatus.

FIG. 6 shows a perspective view of an exemplary embodiment of a waterstorage apparatus.

FIG. 7 shows a rear view of an assembled exemplary embodiment of a waterstorage apparatus.

FIG. 8 shows a front perspective view of an assembled exemplaryembodiment of a water storage apparatus.

FIG. 9 shows a side view of an assembled exemplary embodiment of a waterstorage apparatus.

FIG. 10 shows a top view of an assembled embodiment of a water storageapparatus.

FIG. 11 shows a perspective front view of an assembled exemplaryembodiment of a water storage apparatus.

FIG. 12 shows an exemplary embodiment of a water storage apparatus in adisassembled configuration.

FIG. 13 shows an exemplary embodiment of a water storage apparatushaving an alternative configuration comprising wheels protruding fromside walls of a base.

FIG. 14 shows an exemplary embodiment of the a water storage apparatushaving an alternative configuration.

FIG. 15 shows an exemplary embodiment of a water storage apparatus in adisassembled configuration.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

The present invention is here described in detail with reference toembodiments illustrated in the drawings, which form a part here. Otherembodiments may be used and/or other changes may be made withoutdeparting from the spirit or scope of the present disclosure. Theillustrative embodiments described in the detailed description are notmeant to be limiting of the subject matter presented here.

Embodiments may provide a readily available capability to store anemergency supply of potable water from any house faucet or spigot, in ashort period of time. In some embodiments, the capacity of this supplymay meet or exceed the FEMA-suggested 14-liter per person amount (56liters for a family of four), and without sacrificing mobility orsafety.

Embodiments may provide a rapidly fillable source of potable water thatmunicipalities or other government agencies may distribute to citizensfollowing disasters and in other emergencies. Such embodiments mayfacilitate water distribution to citizens in larger amounts therebyreducing waste and contamination in makeshift receptacles (e.g.,buckets).

Reference will now be made to the exemplary embodiments illustrated inthe drawings, and specific language will be used here to describe thesame. It will nevertheless be understood that no limitation of the scopeof the invention is thereby intended. Alterations and furthermodifications of the inventive features illustrated here, and additionalapplications of the principles of the inventions as illustrated here,which would occur to one skilled in the relevant art and havingpossession of this disclosure, are considered within the scope of theinvention.

FIG. 1 shows an exemplary embodiment of a water storage apparatus 100having a base 101, an upper portion 109, and panels 114 extending fromthe base 101 to the upper portion 109 forming a chamber 115 for housinga bladder 117 capable of storing fluids.

The base 101 has side walls 102 and wheels 103. A side wall 102 of thebase may comprise a hole 105 through which a fluid dispensing attachmentmay be detachably coupled, such as a hose 107 or a spigot. As shown inFIG. 1, the exemplary hose 107 may comprise corners so as to havesubstantially rectangular shape, but it is to be appreciated thatembodiments of such dispensing hose 107 may be rounded or be otherwiseshaped so as to be capable of dispensing fluid.

The base 101 may comprise a number of wheels 103. In some embodiments,wheels 103 may be removably attached and rotatably coupled to anexterior facing, or lower side, of the base 101. In some embodiments,such as the embodiment shown in FIG. 13, wheels 103 may be removablyattached and rotatably coupled to axles protruding from side walls 102of the base 101. In some embodiments, such axles may be removablycoupled to the side walls of the base. Embodiments of the wheels 103 maybe a size capable of mobilizing a water storage apparatus 100 throughapplication of human-generated force. As detailed below, in someembodiments, the wheels 103 may be stored within a housing defined bythe base 101 and the upper portion 109 when the side walls 102 of thebase 101 are placed adjacent to side walls 110 of the upper portion 109.In some embodiments, the wheels 103 may be a size capable of beingstored in a housing between the base 101 and the upper portion 109 withthe other components of the water storage apparatus 100.

A water storage apparatus 100 may comprise an upper portion 109.Embodiments of an upper portion 109 may comprise side walls 110 and anupper horizontal surface 111. In some embodiments, a hole 112 may beformed in the upper horizontal surface 111. In some embodiments, a cap118 may be removably placed in the hole 112. In some embodiments,handles 113 a, b may be removably attached to the upper portion 109.

In the exemplary embodiment of the handles 113 a, b, shown in FIG. 1,the handles 113 a, b are attached to an upper horizontal surface 111 ofthe upper portion 109. One of the exemplary handles 113 a is shownhaving two posts attached to the upper horizontal surface 111 of theupper portion 109. Another of exemplary handles 113 b is shown as havinga first post attached to an upper horizontal surface 111 with the handleextending downward to have a second post attached to a column 116 of thechamber 115. It is to be appreciated that embodiments of handles 113 a,b may be attached to the water storage apparatus 100 at any number oflocations such that the handles 113 a, b are capable of aiding humangrip and comfort when moving the water storage apparatus 100 byhuman-applied force. In some embodiments, the handles 113 a, b may bestored in a housing between the base 101 and the upper portion 109. Insome embodiments, the handles 113 a, b may be actuated so to providecarrying capabilities when the water storage apparatus 100 is collapsedand stored in the housing. In some embodiments, the handles 113 a, b maybe moved to another location on the water storage apparatus 100, ordetached and reattached to another location on the water storageapparatus 100 to provide carrying capabilities when the water storageapparatus 100 is collapsed and stored in the housing.

A water storage apparatus 100 may comprise a chamber 115 housing abladder 117 for storing fluids. The chamber 115 may comprise one or morepanels 114 extending from a base 101 to an upper portion 109 and therebydefining the shape of the water storage apparatus 100 and the chamber115. Embodiments of the chamber 115 may be collapsible or otherwisedisassembled. In some embodiments, the panels 114 may be detached fromabutting components (e.g., base 101, upper portion 109). In someembodiments, the chamber 115 may comprise columns 116 extending from abase 101 to the upper portion 109 forming corners of the chamber 115,the corners of the columns may have angles based on a number of sides.Embodiments of the columns 116 may be detachably coupled to one or moreabutting components (e.g., panels 114, base 101, upper portion 109).

The exemplary embodiment of the water storage apparatus 100 shown inFIG. 1 is a cube having six sides. However, it is to be appreciated thatembodiments of the water storage apparatus 100 may comprise any numberof sides capable of forming a chamber 115 housing a bladder 117 forfluid storage. In other words, it is to be appreciated that someembodiments of the potable water storage apparatus 100 may besubstantially triangular, pyramidal, pentagonal, octagonal, or any othershape. It is to be appreciated that some embodiments of the waterstorage apparatus 100 may be substantially cylindrical in shape. It isalso to be appreciated that the components of the water storageapparatus 100 described herein (i.e., a base 101, an upper portion 109,a chamber 115) may comprise a number of sides dependent upon the shapeof the embodiment of the water storage apparatus 100. Thus, it is to beunderstood that the term “sides” used to describe embodiments of thewater storage apparatus 100 is not intended to limit the shape of thewater storage apparatus 100, base 101, upper portion 109, or chamber115. For example, in embodiments forming a substantially cylindricalshape, the base 101 and the upper portion 109 may each form a circularshape. The chamber 115 may comprise one or more panels 114 extendingfrom the base 101 to the upper portion 109 forming a substantiallytubular shape.

FIG. 2A shows an interior perspective view from a back side of anexemplary embodiment of a base 200 for a water storage apparatus. FIG.2B shows an interior perspective from a front side of an exemplaryembodiment of a base 200 for a water storage apparatus. A base 200 maycomprise side walls 201 and a lower horizontal surface 202, togetherdefining a recess 203 on the interior of the base 200.

The base 200 may comprise a lower horizontal surface 202 having aninterior side, or upper side, facing a chamber of the water storageapparatus, and an exterior side, or lower side, facing away from thechamber. The base 200 may comprise side walls 201. The number of sidewalls may be based on a number of sides of an embodiment of the waterstorage apparatus. The side walls 201 of the base 200 may protrudeupwards towards a chamber of the water storage apparatus. The lowerhorizontal surface 202 and the protrusion of the sides walls 201 awayfrom the lower horizontal surface 202, may define a recess 203 of thebase 200. In some embodiments, side walls 201 may comprise grooves 204defined by an inner side wall 201 a and an outer side wall 201 b. Thesegrooves 204 may receive an end of a panel or column of the chamber, andthe side walls may protrude upwards an amount needed for supporting andcontrolling components defining the chamber.

In some embodiments of the base 200, as shown in FIG. 2A, bumpers 206may be attached to a side wall on the back of the base 200.

In some embodiments of the base 200, as shown in FIG. 2B, a hole 205 maybe formed in a side wall 201 on the front side of the base 200. In someembodiments, the hole 205 is may be airtight preventing fluids fromescaping. In some embodiments, a bladder for storing fluids and restingin the recess 203 may comprise an orifice removably coupled to the hole205 at an interior side of the side wall 201. In some embodiments, awater dispenser (e.g., hose, spigot) may be attached to the hole 205 onan exterior side of the side wall 201. In some embodiments, an outerring 205 a comprising a grommet, threaded ring, or other means forremovably coupling the water dispenser may circumscribe the hole 205.That is, embodiments of an outer ring 205 a may provide a means forattaching, screwing, or otherwise removably coupling the water dispenserto the hole 205.

FIG. 3 shows an exterior perspective view of an exemplary embodiment ofan upper portion 300 for a water storage apparatus. The exemplaryembodiment of the upper portion 300 comprising side walls 301 and anupper horizontal surface 302 defining a recess (not shown) in the upperportion 300.

Embodiments of an upper portion 300 may comprise an upper horizontalsurface 302 having an interior side, or lower side, facing a chamber ofthe water storage apparatus, and an exterior side, or upper side, facingaway from the chamber. In some embodiments, the upper horizontal surface302 may comprise a filling hole 303 that extends through the upperportion 300 to a bladder storing fluids on the interior side of theupper portion 300. In some embodiments, the bladder may comprise anorifice that may be removably attached to the hole on an interior sideof the upper portion 300 for receiving fluids to fill the bladder and/orfor dispensing the contents of the bladder. In some embodiments, a cap304 may seal the filling hole 303 formed in the upper horizontal surface302. The cap 304 may prevent loss of the contents of the bladder and mayalso prevent contamination of the contents of the bladder. As detailedlater, in some embodiments, a filling hose, pipe, funnel, or other meansfor delivering fluids may be attached to an exterior side of the fillinghole 303 and may deliver fluids to an orifice of a bladder attached atthe interior side of the upper portion 300.

In some embodiments, an upper horizontal surface 302 may comprise ameans for attaching handles to the upper horizontal surface 302, forexample, holes 305 for receiving posts of handles. However, other meansfor attaching handles to the water storage apparatus may be utilized.

Embodiments of an upper portion 300 may comprise a number of side walls301 protruding downward, toward the interior of a water storageapparatus. The side walls 301 and the upper horizontal surface 302 mayform a recess (not shown) on the interior side of the upper portion 300.In some embodiments, the side walls 301 may comprise grooves 306 definedby an interior side wall 306 a and an exterior side wall 306 b. Thegrooves 306 may receive an end of a panel or column of a chamber, andthe side walls may protrude downwards an amount needed for supportingand controlling the components defining the chamber.

FIG. 4 shows components defining a chamber 405 of an exemplaryembodiment of a water storage apparatus 400 having a chamber 405 definedby a base 401, an upper portion 403, panels 406 and columns 407.

The water storage apparatus 400 may comprise a chamber 405 partitioningan interior space from an exterior space. The chamber 405 may be formedby the erection of the components of the water storage apparatus 400. Insome embodiments, a first end of side panels 406 and columns 407 may beinserted into grooves formed in a base 401. In some embodiments, aflexible fluid bladder (not shown) may be placed in the interior spaceof the chamber 405 and an orifice of the bladder may be removablycoupled to a hole 402 in the base 401 at the interior side of the hole402. The side panels 406 and columns 407 may provide a structure forcontaining a flexible fluid bladder while the bladder is being filled.In some embodiments, a second end of each of the side panels 406 andcolumns 407 may be inserted into grooves in an upper portion 403. Insome embodiments, once the orifice of the bladder is coupled to afilling hole (not shown) of the upper horizontal surface, the upperportion 403 may be adjoined to the side panels 406 and columns 407 ofthe chamber 405, fitting the side panels 406 and columns 407 into thegrooves of the upper portion 403, thereby forming the chamber 405.

In some embodiments, the chamber 405 of the water storage apparatus 400may be secured together by bungees (not shown) clipped to the upperportion 403 and base 401, with a bungee wrapping around the chamber 405.In some embodiments, clips, snaps, screws, or bolts may be used forsecuring joints of the water storage apparatus 400.

It is to be appreciated that the exemplary embodiment of the waterstorage apparatus 400 is shown having skeletal side panels 406 toexemplify the various features of the water storage apparatus 400. Someembodiments may comprise components having a different skeletal pattern.Some embodiments may comprise components that are entirely solid. Someembodiments may comprise chemical compositions rendering the componentsclear and see through. Some embodiments may comprise chemicalcompositions rendering the components solid and unable to be seenthrough.

FIG. 5 shows an exemplary embodiment of a flexible bladder 500 for awater storage apparatus comprising a first orifice 501 and a secondorifice 502.

The flexible bladder 500 may comprise one or more orifices 501, 502 forfilling the bladder 500 with fluids and/or extracting fluids from thebladder 500. In some embodiments, a first orifice 501 may correspondwith a hole in a chamber containing the bladder 500. In someembodiments, the first orifice 501 may be detachably coupled to thecorresponding hole in the chamber. In some embodiments, the firstorifice 501 may be located near a top of the bladder 500 and correspondto a hole in an upper portion of the chamber.

Some embodiments of a bladder 500 may comprise a second orifice 502 forfilling the bladder 500 with fluids and/or extracting fluids from thebladder 500. In some embodiments, the second orifice 502 may correspondto a hole in a chamber containing the bladder 500. In some embodiments,the second orifice 502 of the bladder 500 may be detachably coupled tothe corresponding hole in the chamber. In some embodiments, the secondorifice 502 may be located near a bottom of the bladder 500 andcorrespond to a hole in a base of the chamber.

It is to be appreciated that the exemplary embodiment of FIG. 5 showsthe flexible bladder 500 as a cube merely to display the flexibility ofthe bladder 500, i.e., embodiments of a bladder 500, when substantiallyfilled with a fluid, may appear to take the shape of the containingchamber. The bladder 500 in FIG. 5 is shown as being substantially cubedin shape due to the exemplary embodiment shown in the figures. However,it is to be appreciated that embodiments of the bladder 500 are notlimited to the shapes shown in the exemplary embodiment of FIG. 5 or anyother exemplary embodiment described herein. It is to be appreciatedthat embodiments of the bladder 500 may have no pre-defined shape,embodiments of the bladder 500 may have any pre-defined shape, and/orembodiments of the bladder 500 may have a fluidly changing shape.

FIG. 6 shows a perspective view of an exemplary embodiment of a waterstorage apparatus 600 from an exterior bottom-side underneath a base601. The water storage apparatus 600 has a base 601, a chamber 611housing a bladder 613, and an upper portion 609. The base 601 has sidewalls 603 and a lower horizontal surface 605.

As earlier described, a base 601 may comprise side walls 603 protrudingupwards toward an upper portion 609. In some embodiments, a rear sidewall 603 a may comprise bumpers 604 or some other useful attachments. Abase 601 may comprise a lower horizontal surface 605 having a face on aninterior side, or upper side, and a face on an exterior side, or lowerside. In some embodiments, an exterior side of the lower horizontalsurface 605 may comprise a means for attaching wheels 607 to the base601. In some embodiments, the lower horizontal surface 605 may compriseholes (not shown) for receiving posts attached to wheels 607. In otherembodiments, however other means for removably attaching rotatablewheels 607 are possible.

It is to be appreciated that any number of rotatably coupled wheels 607may be attached to the water storage apparatus 600 at locations otherthan the base 601 or the lower horizontal surface 605. It is to beappreciated that the wheels 607 may be of any size.

FIG. 7 shows a rear view of an assembled exemplary embodiment of a waterstorage apparatus 700 comprising a chamber 701 housing a bladder 711, abase 703, and an upper portion 705.

As shown in the exemplary embodiment of FIG. 7, a chamber 701 may bedefined by a base 703 on a lower end of the water storage apparatus 700and an upper portion 705 on an upper end of the water storage apparatus700. In some embodiments, sides of the chamber 701 may be defined byside panels 709 and columns 707 extending from the base 703 to the upperportion 705.

An upper portion 705 may comprise an upper horizontal surface 706 havingan interior facing side, or lower side, and an exterior facing side, orupper side. In some embodiments, the upper portion 705 may comprise afilling hole 717 for accessing an orifice of a bladder 711 housed withinthe chamber 701. The filling hole may be sealed with a cap 718 on theexterior side of the upper horizontal surface 706. In some embodiments,the upper portion may comprise handles 715. In some embodiments, theexterior side of the upper horizontal surface 706 may comprise holes orother means for attaching the handles 715. Some embodiments of a waterstorage apparatus 700, may comprise a base 703 having rotatable wheels713 detachably coupled to the base 713. In some embodiments, a hose 719may be detachably coupled to the water storage apparatus 700 fordispensing fluid from the bladder 711.

FIG. 8 shows a front perspective view of an assembled exemplaryembodiment of a water storage apparatus 800 comprising a chamber 801housing a bladder 811, a base 803, and an upper portion 805.

As shown in the exemplary embodiment of FIG. 8, a chamber 801 may bedefined by a base 803 on a lower end of the water storage apparatus 800and an upper portion 805 on an upper end of the water storage apparatus800. In some embodiments, sides of the chamber 801 may be defined byside panels 809 and columns 807 extending from the base 803 to the upperportion 805.

An upper portion 805 may comprise an upper horizontal surface 806 havingan interior facing side, or lower side, and an exterior facing side, orupper side. In some embodiments, the upper portion 805 may comprise afilling hole 817 for accessing an orifice of a bladder 811 housed withinthe chamber 801. The filling hole may be sealed with a cap 818 on theexterior side of the upper horizontal surface 806. In some embodiments,the upper portion may comprise handles 815. In some embodiments, theexterior side of the upper horizontal surface 806 may comprise holes orother means of attaching the handles 815. Some embodiments of a waterstorage apparatus 800, may comprise a base 803 having wheels 813detachably connected to the base 803. In some embodiments, a hose 819may attach to a base 803 at a hole 820 formed into the base 803 fordispensing fluid from the bladder 811.

FIG. 9 shows a side view of an assembled exemplary embodiment of a waterstorage apparatus 900 comprising a chamber 901 housing a bladder 911, abase 903, and an upper portion 905.

As shown in the exemplary embodiment of FIG. 9, a chamber 901 may bedefined by a base 903 on a lower end of the water storage apparatus 900and an upper portion 905 on an upper end of the water storage apparatus900. In some embodiments, sides of the chamber 901 may be defined byside panels 909 and columns 907 extending from the base 903 to the upperportion 905.

An upper portion 905 may comprise an upper horizontal surface 906 havingan interior facing side, or lower side, and an exterior facing side, orupper side. In some embodiments, the upper portion 905 may comprise afilling hole 917 for accessing an orifice of a bladder 911 housed withinthe chamber 901. The filling hole may be sealed with a cap 918 on theexterior side of the upper horizontal surface 906. In some embodiments,such as that of FIG. 9, the upper portion may comprise detachablehandles 915 extending from the upper portion 905 to columns 907. Thehandles 915 comprise a first post removably attached to the upperportion 905 and second post removably attached to the column 915. Insome embodiments, the exterior side of the upper horizontal surface 906may comprise holes or other means of attaching the handles 915.

Some embodiments of a water storage apparatus 900, may comprise a base903 having wheels 913 detachably connected to the base 903. In someembodiments, a hose 919 may attach at the base 903 of the water storageapparatus 900 and may dispense fluid from the bladder 911.

FIG. 10 shows a top view of an assembled embodiment of a water storageapparatus 1000 comprising an upper portion 1001 having detachablehandles 1007, and a hose 1009.

In some embodiments of a water storage apparatus, such as the exemplaryembodiment shown in FIG. 10, may comprise an upper portion 1001 having afilling hole 1005 for accessing an orifice of a bladder housed withinthe water storage apparatus. In some embodiments, the filling hole 1005may be sealed by a removable cap 1005 a. In some embodiments, handles1007 may be attached to the upper portion 1001 via handle holes 1011 inthe upper portion 1001.

FIG. 11 shows a perspective front view of an assembled exemplaryembodiment of a water storage apparatus 1100 in which a bladder 1103 isbeing filled with a fluid. The exemplary embodiment of the water storageapparatus 1100 comprising an upper portion 1101, and a chamber 1102housing a bladder 1103.

In the exemplary embodiment of FIG. 11, a chamber 1102 may contain abladder 1103 being filled with a fluid through an orifice of the bladderusing a delivery hose 1107. An upper portion 1101 may comprise a fillinghole 1105 that may receive a delivery hose 1107 or other means fordelivering a fluid, such as a pipe or a funnel. In some embodiments, thedelivery hose 1107 may be detachably coupled to the filling hole 1105.In some embodiments, the bladder 1103 may comprise an orifice (notshown) corresponding to the filling hole 1105 of the upper portion 1101.In some embodiments, the corresponding orifice of the bladder 1103 maybe detachably coupled to an interior side of the filling hole 1105 ofthe upper portion 1101.

A water storage apparatus 1100 may comprise a dispensing hole 1111. Insome embodiments, a fluid dispenser, such as a hose 1113 or a spigot,may be detachably connected to the dispensing hole 1111 of the waterstorage apparatus 1100. In some embodiments, a bladder 1103 may comprisean orifice (not shown) corresponding to the dispensing hole 1111. Thatis, in such embodiments, the corresponding orifice of the bladder 1103may be detachably coupled to an interior side of the dispensing hole1111 of the base.

FIG. 12 shows an exemplary embodiment of a water storage apparatus in adisassembled configuration 1200. That is, some embodiments of the waterstorage apparatus disclosed herein may be capable of variousconfigurations. Some embodiments of the water storage apparatus maycomprise components capable of collapsing or otherwise disassembling. Insome embodiments, some components, once collapsed or disassembled, maybe capable of storing other components, which may also be collapsed ordisassembled. As shown by FIG. 12, one exemplary embodiment of a waterstorage apparatus shown in a disassembled or collapsed configuration1200 may comprise an upper portion 1201 and a base 1202.

In some embodiments, a upper portion 1201 may comprise a filling hole1207 for filling a bladder at times when the water storage apparatus1200 is in an assembled configuration. In some embodiments, the fillinghole 1207 may be formed into an upper horizontal surface 1205 of theupper portion 1201.

In some embodiments, a base 1202 may comprise a hole 1206 formed into aside wall 1204. In some embodiments, the hole 1206 may be for dispensingwater, or other liquid, that may be stored in a bladder when the waterstorage apparatus 1200 is in an assembled configuration.

In some embodiments, side walls 1204 of a base 1202 may protrude towardsan upper portion 1201. The upper portion 1201 may comprise side walls1203 that may protrude towards the base 1202, thereby forming a housingfrom the exemplary configuration of the disassembled water storage waterstorage apparatus 1200. That is, the housing formed from thedisassembled configuration of the water storage apparatus 1200 may beformed by placing the side walls 1204 of the base 1202 substantiallyadjacent to the side walls 1203 of the upper portion 1201. In someembodiments, various components of the water storage apparatus in thedisassembled configuration 1200 (e.g., panels, wheels, bladder) may bestored within the housing.

FIG. 13 shows an exemplary embodiment of a water storage apparatus 1300comprising wheels 1307 protruding from side walls 1303 of a base 1301.

In some embodiments, removable axles 1305 may protrude from the sidewalls 1301 of the base 1301. In such embodiments, removable wheels 1307may be rotatably coupled to the axles 1305 on either side of the waterstorage apparatus 1300. In some embodiments, the removable wheels 1307may be rotatably coupled to axles 1305 that may attach to the base 1301underneath the water storage apparatus 1300 at a lower horizontalsurface of the base 1301.

In one example, the removable wheels 1307 may be wireframe wheels, suchas bicycle wheels, and these wheels 1307 may be rotatably coupled to theaxles 1305. In some embodiments, wheels 1307 on one end of the waterstorage apparatus 1300 may be larger than wheels on another end of thewater storage apparatus 1300.

FIG. 14 shows an exemplary embodiment of a water storage apparatus 1400comprising an upper portion 1402, a base 1404, and a chamber 1406situated between the upper portion 1402 and the base 1404. In theexemplary embodiment of FIG. 14, the chamber 1406 comprises side panels1408, 1409 and columns 1410, 1411 partitioned by a middle portion 1412into upper panels 1408, upper columns 1410, lower panels 1409, and lowercolumns 1411.

In some embodiments, components of a chamber 1406 may be partitioned bymiddle portion 1412. The middle portion 1412 may be a coupling jointallowing adjoining panels 1408, 1409 and columns 1410, 1411 to becoupled together, thereby forming the chamber 1406. In some embodiments,the middle portion 1412 may be defined by a bevel at the top of lowercomponents 1409, 1411 to which upper components 1408, 1410 may befastened. In some embodiments, the middle portion 1412 may be defined bya bevel at the bottom of upper components 1408, 1410. to which lowercomponents 1409, 1411 may be fastened.

In some embodiments, the middle portion 1412 may be a solid partitionpartitioning the chamber 1406, and allowing components 1408, 1409, 1410,1411 to be fastened together and/or to the middle portion 1412. In suchembodiments, the water storage apparatus 1400 may comprise bladderswithin each partition of the chamber 1406.

In some embodiments, the upper portion 1402 may comprise handlesfacilitating human locomotion of the water storage apparatus 1400. Insome embodiments, wheels 1416 may be place on the sides of the waterstorage apparatus 1400 by axles protruding from the sides of the base1404 allowing for wheels 1416 to be rotatably attached to the axles.Additionally or alternatively, in some embodiments, pegs 1414 may beremovably attached to the base 1404.

In some embodiments, such as the embodiment shown in FIG. 14, the base1404 may comprise wheels 1416 and pegs 1414 on opposing ends of the base1404. The wheels 1406 may be positioned underneath handles 1418 attachedto an upper 1418 such that weight of the water storage apparatus 1400may be tilted on the axles of the base 1404 toward a human operator orother means of moving the water storage apparatus 1400. When the waterstorage apparatus 1400 is relocated using the wheels 1416, the weightmay be shifted by the axles onto the pegs 1414 of the base 1404.

In some embodiments, the water storage apparatus 1400 may bedisassembled in various ways for storage. In some embodiments, thecomponents 1408, 1409, 1410, 1411 may be stored within a housing, asdescribed earlier. In some embodiments, such as the exemplary embodimentshown in FIG. 15, the side panels 1408, 1409 may be stacked onto oneanother and then the stack of side panels 1408, 1409 may be placed inbetween the side walls of the base 1404 and the upper portion 1402.

FIG. 15 shows an exemplary embodiment of a water storage apparatus in adisassembled configuration 1500 ready for storage. The exemplaryembodiment of the disassembled or collapsed water storage apparatus 1500may comprise an upper portion 1501 having a filling hole 1502, a base1503, and a stack of side panels 1505.

In some embodiments, the side walls of a base 1503 may be abutted toside walls of an upper portion 1501 such that a housing is formed by arecess of the base facing the recess of the upper portion 1501 forstoring various components of the water storage apparatus 1500. In someembodiments, components of the water storage apparatus 1500 may fitwithin the storage housing formed by the base 1503 and the upper portion1501. In some embodiments, as in the exemplary embodiment of FIG. 15,side panels 1505 forming the collapsed chamber may be stacked on oneanother. In such embodiments, other components of the water storageapparatus 1500 may fit within a storage housing that may be formed bythe base 1503, upper portion 1501, and the stackable side panels 1505,such that the side walls of the base 1503 are adjacent to one end of thestack of side panels 1505 and the side walls of the upper portion 1501are adjacent to the opposing end of the stack of side panels 1505.

In some embodiments, detachable handles 1507 may be stored within thestorage housing. In some embodiments, as in FIG. 15, detachable handles1507 may be attached to various areas of the storage housing to allowfor easier mobility of the water storage apparatus 1500 having adifferent shape or construction when disassembled.

The exemplary embodiments described herein relate to an apparatuscapable of storing and conveying water. However, it should beappreciated that embodiments of the invention are not intended to belimited to water. It is to be appreciated that embodiments of theinvention may store and/or dispense any fluids. The exemplaryembodiments can relate to an apparatus for performing one or more of thefunctions described herein. Skilled artisans may implement the describedmethod and apparatus in varying ways for a particular use, but suchimplementation decisions should not be interpreted as causing adeparture from the scope of the present invention. While various aspectsand embodiments have been disclosed, other aspects and embodiments arecontemplated. The various aspects and embodiments disclosed are forpurposes of illustration and are not intended to be limiting, with thetrue scope and spirit being indicated by the following claims. Thepreceding description of the disclosed embodiments is provided to enableany person skilled in the art to make or use the present invention.Various modifications to these embodiments will be readily apparent tothose skilled in the art, and the generic principles defined herein maybe applied to other embodiments without departing from the spirit orscope of the invention. Thus, the present invention is not intended tobe limited to the embodiments shown herein but is to be accorded thewidest scope consistent with the following claims and the principles andnovel features disclosed herein.

What is claimed is:
 1. A water storage apparatus comprising: a basecomprising a lower horizontal surface, one or more wheels attached tothe base, a plurality of walls extending upwardly from edges of thelower horizontal surface, thereby forming a recess in the base definedby the walls and the lower horizontal surface, wherein at least one ofthe plurality of walls has a hole configured to be detachably coupled toa fluid dispenser; an upper portion comprising an upper horizontalsurface having a plurality of walls extending downwardly from edges ofthe upper horizontal surface, thereby forming a recess in the upperportion defined by the walls of the upper portion and the upperhorizontal surface, wherein the upper horizontal surface comprises ahole; a plurality of removable panels extending from the base to theupper portion forming a chamber defined by the plurality of removablepanels, the base, and the upper portion, wherein the removable panelsare separable from one another, and are configured to fit in a housingdefined by the recess of the base and the recess of the upper portionwhen the base is adjacent to the upper portion; and a flexible bladdercontained within the plurality of removable panels, and comprising anorifice substantially aligned with the hole in the upper horizontalsurface.
 2. The water storage apparatus of claim 1, further comprisingat least one handle.
 3. The water storage apparatus of claim 1, whereinthe fluid dispenser connected to the hole in the wall of the base isselected from the group consisting of: a spigot and a hose.
 4. The waterstorage apparatus of claim 1, further comprising a removable cap sealingthe hole in the upper horizontal surface of the upper portion.
 5. Thewater storage apparatus of claim 1, further comprising a plurality ofcolumns extending from the base to the upper portion interposed betweenthe plurality of panels and configured to fit with the removable panelswithin the housing defined by the recess of the base and the recess ofthe upper portion, the columns and the plurality of panels beingdetachably connectable along longitudinal portions thereof.
 6. The waterstorage apparatus of claim 1, wherein the bladder further comprises anorifice detachably connected to the hole in the wall of the base.
 7. Thewater storage apparatus of claim 1, further comprising a detachable hoseconnected to the hole in the upper horizontal surface of the upperportion.
 8. The water storage apparatus of claim 1, wherein the wheelsare removably attached at a lower side of the lower horizontal surfaceof the base.
 9. The water storage apparatus of claim 8, wherein thewheels are configured to fit with the plurality of removable panelswithin the housing defined by the recess of the base and the recess ofthe upper portion.
 10. The water storage apparatus of claim 1, whereinthe base further comprises one or more axels, and wherein a wheel of thebase is rotatably coupled to an axel.
 11. The water storage apparatus ofclaim 10, wherein the axel protrudes from a first wall of the base. 12.A water storage apparatus comprising: a base comprising a lowerhorizontal surface, one or more wheels attached to the base, a pluralityof walls extending upwardly from edges of the lower horizontal surface,thereby forming a recess in the base defined by the walls and the lowerhorizontal surface, wherein at least one of the plurality of walls has ahole configured to be detachably coupled to a fluid dispenser; an upperportion comprising an upper horizontal surface having a plurality ofwalls extending downwardly from edges of the upper horizontal surface,thereby forming a recess in the upper portion defined by the walls ofthe upper portion and the upper horizontal surface, wherein the upperhorizontal surface comprises a hole; a plurality of removable panelsextending from the base to the upper portion forming a chamber definedby the plurality of removable panels, the base, and the upper portion,wherein the removable panels are separable from one another, and areconfigured to stack upon one another between the base and the upperportion whereby the base is adjacent to a first end of the stack and theupper portion is adjacent to an opposing second end of the stack; and aflexible bladder contained within the plurality of removable panels, andcomprising an orifice substantially aligned with the hole of the upperhorizontal surface.
 13. The water storage apparatus of claim 12, furthercomprising at least one handle.
 14. The water storage apparatus of claim12, wherein the fluid dispenser connected to the hole in the wall of thebase is selected from the group consisting of: a spigot and a hose. 15.The water storage apparatus of claim 12, further comprising a removablecap sealing the hole in the upper horizontal surface of the upperportion.
 16. The water storage apparatus of claim 12, further comprisinga plurality of columns extending from the base to the upper portioninterposed between the plurality of panels and configured to fit withinthe housing defined by the recess of the base, the stack of removablepanels, and the recess of the upper portion, the columns and theplurality of panels being detachably connectable along longitudinalportions thereof.
 17. The water storage apparatus of claim 12, whereinthe bladder further comprises an orifice detachably connected to thehole in the wall of the base.
 18. The water storage apparatus of claim12, further comprising a detachable hose connected to the hole in theupper horizontal surface of the upper portion.
 19. The water storageapparatus of claim 12, wherein the wheels are removably attached at alower side of the horizontal surface of the base.
 20. The water storageapparatus of claim 19, wherein the wheels are configured to fit withinthe housing defined by the recess of the base, the stack of removablepanels, and the recess of the upper portion.
 21. The water storageapparatus of claim 12, wherein the base further comprises one or moreaxels, and wherein a wheel of the base is rotatably coupled to an axel.22. The water storage apparatus of claim 21, wherein the axel protrudesfrom a first wall of the base.
 23. The water storage apparatus of claim1, wherein the plurality of walls of the base include an inner side walland an outer side wall defining a groove therebetween configured anddimensioned to receive a lower portion of the panels.
 24. The waterstorage apparatus of claim 23, wherein the plurality of walls of theupper portion include an inner side wall and an outer side wall defininga groove therebetween configured and dimensioned to receive an upperportion of the panels.
 25. The water storage apparatus of claim 12,wherein the plurality of walls of the base include an inner side walland an outer side wall defining a groove therebetween configured anddimensioned to receive a lower portion of the panels.
 26. The waterstorage apparatus of claim 25, wherein the plurality of walls of theupper portion include an inner side wall and an outer side wall defininga groove therebetween configured and dimensioned to receive an upperportion of the panels.
 27. The water storage apparatus of claim 1,further comprising: a first guide member fixedly positioned along afirst wall and within the groove along the first wall; a second guidemember fixedly positioned along a second wall and within the groovealong the second wall; and a column configured to extend into thegrooves along the first wall and the second wall and between the firstand second guide members, thereby inhibiting the column from slidingalong either the first wall or second wall.
 28. The water storageapparatus of claim 27, further comprising: first additional guidemembers and second additional guide members fixedly positioned alongadjacent walls and within respective grooves along the adjacent walls;and respective columns configured to extend into the grooves along theadjacent walls between the first and second additional guide members,thereby inhibiting the respective columns from sliding along either ofthe adjacent walls.
 29. The water storage apparatus of claim 12, furthercomprising: a first guide member fixedly positioned along a first walland within the groove along the first wall; a second guide memberfixedly positioned along a second wall and within the groove along thesecond wall; and a column configured to extend into the grooves alongthe first wall and the second wall and between the first and secondguide members, thereby inhibiting the column from sliding along eitherthe first wall or second wall.
 30. The water storage apparatus of claim29, further comprising: first additional guide members and secondadditional guide members fixedly positioned along each of the adjacentwalls and within respective grooves along the adjacent walls; andrespective columns configured to extend into the grooves along theadjacent walls between the first and second additional guide members,thereby inhibiting the respective columns from sliding along either ofthe adjacent walls.
 31. The water storage apparatus of claim 1, whereinat least one of the removable panels are formed of at least one memberinclusive of an opening extending vertically along the at least one ofthe removable panels to enable a user to visually inspect the flexiblebladder to determine a level of fluid within the flexible bladder. 32.The water storage apparatus of claim 12, wherein at least one of theremovable panels are formed of at least one member inclusive of anopening extending vertically along the at least one of the removablepanels to enable a user to visually inspect the flexible bladder todetermine a level of fluid within the flexible bladder.